After: Modern Take on Period Charm

After: Modern Take on Period Charm

Even well-preserved period charm requires tweaking—and a little elbow grease—to bring it into the 21st century. Newlyweds Katherine and Conan Fugit found a lot to like in the living room of their 1917 house, in Wichita, Kansas.

Shown: DIY built-ins complement the original windows, and clean-lined furniture brightens the space.

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Before: Well-Preserved Eyesore

Before: Well-Preserved Eyesore

But along with the original diamond-pane windows, iron ceiling fixture, and hardwood floor came an unappealing color scheme—mauve walls with clashing golden-oak trim—and eyesores, like a prominent window air conditioner and two hulking radiators that no longer worked.

Shown: Mauve walls and an unsightly air conditioner made the room feel unkempt and dated.

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Back Where It Belongs

Back Where It Belongs

Luckily, they were able to pull out that air conditioner and put the missing window back in its rightful place, as it had been stored in the basement. The couple removed the bulky radiators as well. (A forced-air system went in as part of a whole-house redo.)

Functional and Loyal

Functional and Loyal

Today the living room is bright and inviting, with an artful row of potted plants and framed photographs serving as a focal point. "For this project, we wanted to install functional pieces while still being respectful of the house and its roots," say the homeowners. "We're so proud of how it turned out."

After: Modern Take on Period Charm

Even well-preserved period charm requires tweaking—and a little elbow grease—to bring it into the 21st century. Newlyweds Katherine and Conan Fugit found a lot to like in the living room of their 1917 house, in Wichita, Kansas.

Shown: DIY built-ins complement the original windows, and clean-lined furniture brightens the space.

Before: Well-Preserved Eyesore

But along with the original diamond-pane windows, iron ceiling fixture, and hardwood floor came an unappealing color scheme—mauve walls with clashing golden-oak trim—and eyesores, like a prominent window air conditioner and two hulking radiators that no longer worked.

Shown: Mauve walls and an unsightly air conditioner made the room feel unkempt and dated.

Back Where It Belongs

Luckily, they were able to pull out that air conditioner and put the missing window back in its rightful place, as it had been stored in the basement. The couple removed the bulky radiators as well. (A forced-air system went in as part of a whole-house redo.)

Functional and Loyal

Today the living room is bright and inviting, with an artful row of potted plants and framed photographs serving as a focal point. "For this project, we wanted to install functional pieces while still being respectful of the house and its roots," say the homeowners. "We're so proud of how it turned out."